The International Society of Automation (www.isa.org) is a nonprofit professional association that sets the standard for those who apply engineering and technology to improve the management, safety, and cybersecurity of modern automation and control systems used across industry and critical infrastructure. Founded in 1945, ISA develops widely used global standards; certifies industry professionals; provides education and training; publishes books and technical articles; hosts conferences and exhibits; and provides networking and career development programs for its 36,000 members and 350,000 customers around the world.

ISA owns Automation.com, a leading online publisher of automation-related content, and is the founding sponsor of The Automation Federation (www.automationfederation.org), an association of non-profit organizations serving as “The Voice of Automation.” Through a wholly owned subsidiary, ISA bridges the gap between standards and their implementation with the ISA Security Compliance Institute (www.isasecure.org) and the ISA Wireless Compliance Institute (www.isa100wci.org).

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New York Section of ISA co-organizing a series of six seminars and panel discussions in March to explain the significance of US Cybersecurity Framework

The first seminar will be broadcast live globally through web simulcast

Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA (26 February 2014) - The New York Section of the International Society of Automation (ISA) announced today that it is co-organizing a series of six free seminars and interactive panel discussions 10-11 March 2014 in the New York City area designed to explain the importance and implications of the US Cybersecurity Framework.

All six of these educational events, "White House, DHS, & NIST Officials Present and Discuss the President's Cybersecurity Framework," will feature three high-ranking US government security experts: Samara Moore, White House Director of Cybersecurity Critical Infrastructure Protection; Bob Kolasky, Director of Strategy and Policy at the US Department of Homeland Security; and Jon Boyens, Senior Advisor of Information Security at the National Institute of Standards and Technology. Michael Coden, CISSP, Vice President of ISA's New York section, will moderate a panel discussion at each event.

"The New York Section of ISA is pleased to be assisting in this series of important seminars on the US Cybersecurity Framework," says Coden, who also serves as a member of the ISA99 Cyber Security Standard Working Group. "Cyberattack presents a serious threat to US industry and infrastructure across all sectors, including energy, nuclear power, finance, healthcare, communications, transportation, water, oil, gas, chemicals, IT, defense and manufacturing.

"The US Cybersecurity Framework, introduced earlier this month in Washington, DC, has significant implications for all businesses," Coden emphasizes. "By attending one of these seminars, you'll be among the first to learn how you and your company will be affected. We're particularly excited that the first event will be broadcast live and accessible through the web, not only in New York City but all across the globe. The early morning time of the event on Monday, 10 March will allow people throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Asia to view the simulcast."

Other co-organizers of the six events are ISACA (previously known as the Information Systems Audit and Control Association), (ISC)2 and IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers). The events are being funded by NextNine Industrial Strength Cyber Security, The Sloan Foundation, Rockwell Automation, Dell, Sourcefire, New York University and Fordham University.

Below is a list of times and locations for the six events. To register to attend the event of your choice, go tohttp://www.isany.org

About the US Cybersecurity Framework

The US Cybersecurity Framework, the result of a year-long initiative to develop a voluntary how-to guide for American industry and operators of critical infrastructure to strengthen their cyber defenses, is a key deliverable from the Executive Order on "Improving Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity" that President Obama announced in his 2013 State of the Union address.

The ISA99/IEC 62443 security standards are among the framework's recommendations because they're designed to prevent and mitigate potentially devastating cyber damage to industrial plant systems and networks-commonly used in transportation grids, power plants, water treatment facilities, and other vital industrial settings.

The 41-page US Cybersecurity Framework takes a risk-management approach that allows organizations to adapt to "a changing cybersecurity landscape and responds to evolving and sophisticated threats in a timely manner," according to the document.

Though the adoption of the framework is voluntary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has established the Critical Infrastructure Cyber Community (C3) Voluntary Program to increase awareness and use of the Cybersecurity Framework. The C3 Voluntary Program will connect companies, as well as federal, state and local partners, to DHS and other federal government programs and resources that will assist their efforts in managing their cyber risks. Participants will be able to share lessons learned, receive guidance and learn about free tools and resources.

About the Presenters and Panelists

Samara Moore
As part of the White House National Security Staff, Samara Moore coordinates cybersecurity activities across the US federal government, partnering with the private sector in efforts to strengthen cybersecurity for America's critical infrastructure sectors. Prior to joining the National Security Staff, Moore was Senior Information Technology and Cybersecurity Advisor in the Department of Energy (DOE), focusing on energy sector cyber security and managing public-private partnerships. At the DOE, she played a key role in IT and cybersecurity governance, where she led the formation of the Electricity Sector Cybersecurity Capability Maturity Model, now followed domestically and internationally.

Bob Kolasky
Bob Kolasky leads strategic critical infrastructure initiatives at the US Department of Homeland Security. Previously, he served as the Director of the Integrated Task Force for implementation of EO 13636 on Cyber Security for Critical Infrastructure and Presidential Policy Directive 21 Implementation. He is an accomplished strategist, planner, organizational leader, author and analyst, focusing on solutions to public problems. He also served as Assistant Director for Risk Governance and Support in the Office of Risk Management Analysis, and led the first Strategic National Risk Assessment, in partnership with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Jon Boyens
Jon Boyens leads the Information and Communications Technology Supply Chain Risk Management Program at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), working on policy and technical projects and helping to develop and coordinate the department's cybersecurity policy.

Michael Coden
In addition to serving as Vice President of ISA's New York Section and a member of the ISA99 Cyber Security Standard Working Group, Michael Coden is Vice President of NextNine, where he helps design NextNine's suite of cybersecurity products for critical infrastructure organizations with multiple locations. As a cybersecurity expert, Coden has assisted in the development of the Cybersecurity Framework.

About ISA

Founded in 1945, the International Society of Automation (www.isa.org) is a leading, global, nonprofit organization that is setting the standard for automation by helping over 30,000 worldwide members and other professionals solve difficult technical problems, while enhancing their leadership and personal career capabilities. Based in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, ISA develops standards; certifies industry professionals; provides education and training; publishes books and technical articles; and hosts conferences and exhibitions for automation professionals. ISA is the founding sponsor of The Automation Federation (www.automationfederation.org).